Self-propelled plow.



PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. P. R. LANIER.

SELF PROPELLED PLOW.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB, 5. 1904.

SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N m 3 mm e; N x N No. 788,967. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. F. R. LANIER.

SELF PROPELLED PLOW.

APPLIOATIOH FILED I'ZEB. 5. 1904.

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W/YWESSES:

W W BYZWWHL imme No. 783,967. PATENTED FEB. 28. 1905. F. R. LANIER.

SELF PROPELLED PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1904,

3 SHEETS'BHBBT 3.

.4; Affomeyj STATES Patented February 28, 1905.

FELIX ROBERTSON LANIER, ()F GRIDER, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES fl).BRIDGES, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

SELFdROPELLED PLOW SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.783,967, dated February 28, 1905.

Application filed February 5,1904. Serial No. 192,187.

.]'0 (0H 1.0710112, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX Ronnn'rson LAN- IER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at G-rider, in the county of Mississippi and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful improvements inSelf-Propelled Flows; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to self-propelled vehicles for agriculturalpurposes, and is especially applicable for use as a motor-plow. 111machines of this character, as in all other classes of machines, themain object is to provide cooperative means and mechanism of such acharacter as to secure the highest degree of effectiveness anddurability in the simplest manner and at the least expense. Having thisobject in view, in carrying out my invention 1 have provided a suitablesupporting-frame with driving and steering wheels and mechanism foroperating the same and in conjunction therewith have arranged aplurality of adjnstably-mounted rotary plows, preferably at the rear endof said supporting-frame, adapted to be driven directly by thevehiclepropelling power and in the same direction as thetraction-wheels, whereby the rotary plows in addition to their functionof breaking and turning over the soil aid also in assisting instead ofretarding the forward motion of the vehicle.

To more fully understand the invention, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, illustrating the same, in which the same partsare indicated by the same characters throughout the several views, andin which-- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved plow,parts being broken away; Fig. 2, a plan view; Fig. 3, a rear elevation,and Fig. 1 a perspective view showing a modilied form of one of theplowing-Wheels.

A designates the main supporting-frame, carrying the rear upright frameB. C designates the driving 01' traction wheels; D, the steering-wheel;E, a motor of any suitable or preferred type, a gasolene-motor beingpreferable, and F the rotary plowing-wheels.

The traction-wheels G are journaled in suitable bcarings on the frame Aand carry the sprocket-wheels 1, arranged in alinement with similarsprocket-wheels 2, mounted on the end of the shaft 3, extendingtransversely across the frame B and journaled in suitable bearingscarried by the beams B, secured to the forward and rear uprights B B ofthe upright frame B. 4 is another sprocket-wheel carried by the shaft 3and disposed in alincment-with a similar sprocket-wheel 5 on the shaft6, similarly journaled in suitable bearings on the beams B toward therear of the upright frame 7 and 8 are SDIOCkOlS-CllitiDS respectivelyconnecting the sprockets 1 and 2 and 4t and 5.

9 is a worm-whcel on the shaft 3 meshing with the worm 10 on thedriving-shaft 11 of the motor, the other end of the shaft carrying thefly-wheel 12.

13 designates a plurality of belt-wheels (preferably one for each pairof plowing-wheel s hereinafter.described) mounted on the transverseshaft 6 and connected by the belts 1 1 with belt-pulleys 15 on theshafts 16, carrying the flowing-wheels F, idler-wheels 17, carried byshafts l8, suitably journaled on the uprights B", being interposedagainst said belts. The plowingavheels F may be mounted singly, but arepreferably mounted in pairs on the shafts 16, with the beltpulleys 15therebetween, and the shafts 16 themselves are journaled in the lowerends of the hangerbars 19, slotted, as at 20, and slidably suspended, asclearlyillustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, and pivoting in its suspendedposition around the rod 21, extending transversely across the rear ofthe upright frame B, the hanger-bars 19 being transversely braced by thecross-beams 22. The inward swing of the hanger-bars 19, and hence theplowing-w heels, is limited by the rear ugrights B and the dependingrods or beams B, (see Fig. 3,) against which the cross-pieces 22normally abut.

23 designates shafts suitably journalcd on and disposed longitudinallyof the upright frame B. These shafts are provided at their forward endswith the worm-wheels 24, mesh- 1 ing with the worms 25, carried on thespindles 26, suitably journaled on the frame and provided with operatinghandles 27. other ends of the shafts 23 are provided with the sheaves28, to which are attached the cables 29, secured at their other ends tothe hanger-bar frames.

On the underside of the forward end of the main frame A is a circularrim 30, having a depending annular flange portion 31. Below said rim 30is a turn-table 32, having the upwardly-extending annular flange portion33, -the annular flanges 31 and 33 being so spaced apart as to form araceway for a plurality of balls 34 and provide a ball-bearingconnection between the rims 30 and 32, as clearly shown at thebroken-away portion to the left of Fig. 1. The outer circumferentialsurface of the flange portion 33 of the rim 32, forming the base-plateof the turn-table casting, is provided with gear-teeth 35, adapted tomesh with a gear-wheel 36 on the upright shaft 37, provided at its upperend with a worm-wheel 38, meshing with a worm 39 on the spindle 40,journaled in a suitable support 41, the spindle 40 being provided with asuitable'operating-handle 42. The steering-wheel D is mounted, centrallyof said turn-table mechanism, on an axle 42 suitably journaled inbearings (not shown) carried by the turn-table casting 32.

In the drawings I have not illustrated any means for preventing thedisplacement of the rim 30 and the turn-table plate 32 relatively toeach other, as the weight of the vehicle will prevent theirdisplacement; but any suitable well-known means might be employed, ifecessary.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I have illustrated the plowing-wheels F ascomprising the annular rims 43, having the peripheral cutting edge 44,said rims being secured to hubs 45 by the spokes 46. These rims, asshown, are spaced apart, and rigidly mounted between the same are thetransversely-disposed cutting-blades 47, upwardly curved toward theperiphery of the rims, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4 is represented a modified form of the plowing-wheels. In thisform 43 represents the annular rims, 45 the hub, and 46 the spokes. 47represents the cutting-blades spirally curved and diagonally disposed,as clearly illustrated, between the annular rims, one edge, 47, beingset substantially flush with the periphery of one rim and the otheredge, 47, projecting beyond the periphery, it being understood that theangular disposition anddegree of curvature in either construction of theplowing-wheels may be changedat will.

When the machine is in operation, the cutting edges of the plow-bladesfirst come in contact with the soil and are forced down to The 1 theirfull intended depth, each blade cutting a uniform slice of soil,breaking it loose, and forcing it back like a spade is made to do, quiteas effectively, although much more rapidly. Of course the degree ofpower required to rotate the plowing-wheels is dependent upon theirspeed of rotation, for the higher the speed the thinner will be slicesmade by each blade, naturally requiring less power to drive them than ifthe speed were lower and the slice thicker. The speed of theplowing-wheels is governed by the particular gearing between thedriving-shaft and the band-pulleys, preferably in a ratio not exceedingthree to one to the traction-wheels. For plowing purposes it isnecessary that the plowing-wheels revolve at a greater speed than thetraction-wheels; but for other purposes, however, the gearing may be sodisposed as to rotate the plowingwheels at the same rate of speed as thetraction-wheels, when the plowing-wheels would act, in conjunction withthe traction-wheels, as driving-wheels of great power, the blades beingfirmly pressed into the soil their full width. Thus the machine might beused for other field purposessuch, for instance, as dragging plows,harrows, &c.

It Will be obvious that in operation motion is imparted to the shaft 3by the worm 10 and worm-gear 9, which in turn, through the medium of thesprockets 2 and 1, 4 and 5 and the connecting sprocket-chains, rotatethe traction-wheels C and band-wheel 13, and likewise the belt 14imparts motion to the beltpulleys 15 and plows F, it being observed thatby this arrangement the traction-wheels and plowing-wheels are driven inthe same direction of rotation and the plowing-wheels, in addition tobreaking up and turning over the soil, aid in the forward propulsion ofthe machine.

The weight of the plowing-wheels normally tends to hold them in theirlowermost position below the tread of the traction-Wheels; but inoperation should any of the plowing-wheels strike anotherwise-insurmountable obstruction it will be obvious that bothplowingwheels of that pair will be permittedto ride safely over theobstruction by the slotted arrangement of the hanger-bars, whereby thehanger-bars will be swung rearwardly, and thereby avoid theplowing-wheels being readily broken or disabled. Again, any one or morepairs of the plowing-wheels may be elevated out of contact with the soilby operating the cables 29 through the medium of the sheaves 28, shafts23, and worm and wormwheels 25 and 24, an obvious advantage permittingof the cutting of parallel furrows and when all are raised facilitatingthe turning of the vehicle in the field, or they may be raised a limiteddistance only for regulating the depth of the cut.

The operation of the steering mechanism is apparent and needs no furtherdescription.

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It will be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the exactdetails of construction as illustrated and described, for itis obviousthat many modifications might be made without departing from the spiritof my inventionfor instance, any other suitable form of steeringmechanism may be employed and the statement that the traction-wheels arejournaled in suitable bearings is intended to be broad enough to includeconstructions well known in the art, whereby the wheels may beindependently mounted and operated for facilitating the turning aroundof the vehicle.

Having thus described my invention and themanner of its operation, whatI claim is-- 1. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with asuitable body-support, of tractionwheels, hanger-bars, normally disposedin a vertical line, suspended from said support and capable oflongitudinal adjustment vertically of said support, a rotary plowingmember journaled in the lower free ends of said hanger-bars, and meansfor rotating said traction-wheels and plowing member.

2. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitable bodysupport, of tractionwheels, vertically disposed hanger-bars suspendedfrom said support, capable of longitudinal adjustment vertically thereofand independent swing in the are of a circle, a rotary plowing memberjournaled in the lower free ends of said hanger-bars, means foradjusting said hanger-bars longitudinally in a substantiall y verticalline, and means for rotating said traction-wheels and plowing member.

3. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, hanger-bars, pin-and-slot connectionsbetween said hanger-bars and body-support and means cooperatingtherewith for normally suspending said hanger-bars longitudinally in avertical line, whereby said hanger bars may be longitudinally adjustedvertically of said support and free to swing in the arc of a circle, arotary plowing member journaled in the lower free ends of saidhanger-bars, means for elevating said hanger-barsin a vertical line, andmeans for rotating said traction-wheels and plowing member.

4;. Ina self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, pivots on said body-support,longitudinally-slotted hanger-bars engaging said pivots and means forsuspending same, whereby said hanger-bars may be adjusted longitudinallyin a vertical line and remain free to swing in an are, a rotary plowingmember journaled in the lower free ends of said hanger-bars, and meansfor rotating said trac' tion-wheels and plowing IIIGIDIJGIZ.

5. In a self propelled plow, the combina tion with a suitablebody-support, of traction wheels, vertically-extending adjustablehangerbars pivotally suspended from said body-support, rotary plowsjournaled in the free lower ends of said hanger-bars, means foroperating said adjustable hanger-bars longitudinally in a substantiallyvertical line,comprising a sheave provided with acable operativelyconnected with said hanger-bars, means for operating said sheave, andmeans for rotating said traction-wheels and plowing member.

6. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, adjustable hanger-bars pivotallysuspended on said body-su iiport and normally extending longitudinallyin a substantially vertical line, a rotary plowing member journaled inthe lower free ends of said hangerbars, means for longitudinallyadjusting said hanger-bars for elevating said plowing member in asubstantially vertical line, and means for rotating said traction-wheelsand plowing member.

7. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, vertically-disposed hanger-bars,pinand-slot connections between said hanger-bars and body-support,rotary plowing members journaled in the lower free ends of saidhangerbars, means for operating said hanger-bars longitudinally in asubstantially vertical line, and means for rotating said traction-wheelsand plowing member.

8. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, a steering-wheel, pivotally-suspendedadjustable hanger-bars disposed longitudinally in a substantiallyvertical line, a rotary plowing member journaled in the lower free endsof said hanger-bars, means for operating said steering-wheel, and meansfor rotating said traction-wheels and plowing member.

9. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, a rotary plowing member suspended fromsaid support, adjustable relatively thereto in a substantially verticalline and free to swing in an are, a source of motive power andintermediate gearing between same and said traction-wheels and rotaryplowing member, means for elevating said plowing member in asubstantially vertical line, comprising a shaft, worm-gearingcooperating with said shaft and operating means therefor, and a sheaveon the end of said shaft provided with a cable operatively connectedwith said plowing members support.

10. In a self-propelled plow, the combination with a suitablebody-support, of tractionwheels, a steering-wheel, pivot-pins on saidsupport, vertically-disposed hanger-bars, longitudinally slotted toengage said pivot-pins, rotary plowing means jou'rnaled in the lowerends of said hanger-bars, means for suspending and longitudinallyadjusting said hangerbars vertically of said support, a source of motivepower, and intermediate gearing between said source of motive power andsaid traction-wheels and rotary plowing means.

IIO

means for operating the same, sheaves carried at the other ends of saidshafts and provided with cables suspending said hanger-bars, a 5

source of motive power, and means operatively connecting said source ofmotive power with said traction-wheels and rotary plows.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FELIX ROBERTSON LANIER. W itnesses:

W. M. DEAN, GEORGE HARSH.

